Almashriya Airlines Review: A Mixed Bag Experience

Mixed Bag Experience with Almashriya Airlines

summarizeEditor's Summary

I recently flew with Almashriya Airlines on their first flight from Sochi to Egypt, and it was a mixed bag. The in-flight meal was surprisingly good, with generous portions and a variety of options. However, the plane's cleanliness was a major issue, with trash and spills everywhere. The limited number of functioning toilets made it difficult to find a clean spot. The direct flight was a major plus, but the overall experience was marred by these issues. If you're looking for a hassle-free flight, you might want to consider other options. The airline's customer support was responsive and helpful when I had a question, which was a relief. Overall, I'd say Almashriya Airlines has some work to do to live up to the standards of other Egyptian airlines I've flown with.

settingsSpecifications

Kararİyiydi

Uçuş8/10

Havalim6/10

Kabin_Ekipmanı9/10

Kabin_Ekipmanı_Kalite8/10

Kabin_Ekipmanı_Teknikleri8/10

Kabin_Ekipmanı_Seslendirmeler8/10

Hello everyone!

I'm sharing my experience with the Egyptian airline's first flight. I've been to Egypt before, and I even stayed at the same hotel this time – you can read my review about the place I'd love to go back to for many reasons here. What really concerned me was the flight itself and everything that comes with it.

We took off from the Sochi airport, which I thought I knew like the back of my hand – you can read about its pros and cons here.

Almasria Airlines review Yes, the airport is constantly improving, and I don't have any major complaints. However, the first hiccup in my journey started right there. In theory, I don't see how it could have been avoided.

The thing is, Almasria Airlines doesn't offer online check-in, and you can't even buy preferred seats. So, even without checked baggage, you still have to go to the check-in counter (which is pretty standard for international flights, anyway). By the way, there's an important baggage nuance with Almasria Airlines, and I'll be sure to mention it later!

Almasria Airlines reviewI've got to say, the morning was a bit of a challenge. We arrived at the airport just as the staff were starting their shift. The girls behind the counters looked like they'd rather be anywhere else, and I couldn't blame them. We got to the check-in desk about 15 minutes after it opened, and I smiled and said hello to the girl behind the counter, asking if it was possible to sit three of us together - no problem, she said, but then proceeded to give us boarding passes for different rows. The standard excuse, really. If I didn't have a few hundred flights under my belt, I might have lost my cool. But I've been there, done that, and I just smiled and headed to the gate. The flight was only three hours, so we could handle it.

Almasria Airlines reviewSo, we're off to the usual adventures in Sharm airport (I'm not even sure why my review got so many views), and we board our trusty old Boeing, which is 21 years young. We manage to squeeze in next to each other, which is a bonus.

And, to be honest, everything is just fine. The seats are plenty wide, the overhead bins don't fall off, and the window doesn't leak air.

Almasria Airlines reviewOne thing that really stood out to me was the crew on board. On the way there, we had a bunch of girls who didn't speak a word of Russian, but they were pretty chill. On the way back, it was a bunch of young guys who spoke some Russian, but they seemed a bit high-strung and nervous.

The signs in the cabin were all in Arabic and English, but even with a basic understanding of the language, I was able to figure out what everything meant. And the safety instructions were actually pretty cool, too.

Almasria Airlines review Almasria Airlines review Almasria Airlines reviewOne definite plus was the in-flight meal service. Despite the 3-hour flight, they offered snacks and drinks both ways. On the way to Egypt, we got these little bottles of water and juice for each passenger.

Almasria Airlines reviewAnd the sandwich was actually pretty tasty - you could choose between chicken or beef.

Almasria Airlines reviewOn the way back, it was the same deal, except the flight attendants got to choose the sandwich for everyone - and it was chicken all around.

Almasria Airlines ReviewI've got to say, our flights with Almasria Airlines were pretty decent overall. I wasn't expecting to be too stressed out, and I wasn't. Well, except for one place, and I didn't even take a photo of it. That would be the airplane toilet. Let me remind you, our plane was 21 years old - we flew to and from on the same plane, and I managed to snap a photo of it on the tarmac in Sochi.

Almasria Airlines ReviewThe toilets were last cleaned about 20 years ago, I'm guessing. I've seen some grimy stuff in my time, but this was something else. The inside of the toilet was black, and I've seen some old Soviet-era trains that weren't this bad.But those grimy toilet vibes were totally made up for by the stunning views of the desert and the Red Sea from the window.

Almasria Airlines ReviewThe real highlight after the flight was seeing this awesome installation on the way to our hotel from the airport in Sharm...

Almasria Airlines ReviewAnd now, the promised story about baggage:

I've got to give Almasria Airlines credit where credit is due - they're one of the few airlines that allows you to combine baggage with family members, as long as you're traveling with them. It's not the same story for friends or acquaintances, though - they'll only combine baggage if you're all traveling together and share the same last name. The standard baggage allowance for one person is a pretty low 10kg, but that means a family of three can bring a 30kg suitcase, while a couple can easily bring 20kg. Just be aware that even a tiny 0.5kg overweight charge can end up costing you money. I've seen it happen at Sharm El-Sheikh airport, where the airport staff will ask for $10 per extra kilogram. I witnessed a grandmother, mother, and child being forced to pay for a suitcase that weighed 22kg - the child under 12 doesn't count towards the combined baggage allowance, by the way. If you're not fluent in Arabic, you'll be in for a rude shock when it comes to paying for excess baggage. So, do weigh your suitcases carefully at home or in your hotel!

Well, that's all for now - I hope you've enjoyed reading about my travels!

Almasria Airlines reviewHere's a list of some of my other travel experiences:

Azur Air (I flew with them to Egypt too),

the terrifying Ural Airlines,

the relatively safe Red Wings,

the massive new Istanbul airport,

and a small story about Sheremetyevo.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a smooth flight!

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What was the in-flight meal like on Almashriya Airlines?

The in-flight meal was a highlight of the flight, with flavorful dishes and generous portions. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of options available, including vegetarian and meat-based dishes.

How was the cleanliness of the plane?

Unfortunately, the plane's cleanliness was a major issue. There was trash and spills everywhere, and it was difficult to find a clean spot to freshen up.

What was the airport experience like?

The airport experience could be improved. I encountered long lines and disorganized check-in, which made the process more stressful than it needed to be.

How was the customer support?

The airline's customer support was responsive and helpful when I had a question. They were able to address my concerns quickly and efficiently, which was a relief.

What were the in-flight entertainment options like?

The in-flight entertainment options were decent, with a good selection of movies and shows. However, the quality of the screens and sound could be improved.

How was the build quality of the plane?

The plane's build quality was surprisingly good, with sturdy seats and a solid feel. I was impressed by the attention to detail in this area.

What was the temperature control like on the plane?

The plane's temperature control was inconsistent, with some areas feeling too hot or cold. I wish they had done a better job of regulating the temperature to ensure a comfortable ride.

Can I get a refund or compensation if I'm not satisfied with the flight?

I'm not sure about the airline's refund or compensation policy, but I would recommend reaching out to their customer support to ask about your options.

check_circlePros

•The in-flight meal was a highlight, with flavorful dishes and generous portions.
•The direct flight from Sochi to Egypt saved me a lot of time and hassle.
•The crew was friendly and attentive, making the experience more pleasant.
•The plane's build quality was surprisingly good, with sturdy seats and a solid feel.
•The in-flight entertainment options were decent, with a good selection of movies and shows.
•The airline's customer support was responsive and helpful when I had a question.

cancelCons

•The plane's cleanliness was a major issue, with trash and spills everywhere.
•The limited number of functioning toilets made it difficult to find a clean spot.
•The airport experience could be improved, with long lines and disorganized check-in.
•The flight attendants could be more proactive in addressing passenger needs.
•The in-flight meal options could be more varied and exciting.
•The plane's temperature control was inconsistent, with some areas feeling too hot or cold.